Rider ? Day

He is here.... sort of

We're still very much in the thick of the adoption process and the outcome is always unknown.

Rider is perfect, although he has a nameless middle name so far.

We're very excited and VERY grateful for all your love and support

But we're also very tired and overwhelmed by the emotional intensity that adoption has to offer.

So we'll be MIA for a few days until all things pan out and the bumps are crossed over.

Hopefully.

Rider ? Day

August 29, 2011

5:42 am

7lbs 6 oz

20.5 inches

We hope to bring you good news soon.

We love you all

ALL SYSTEMS GO!

got the call at 345 am
arrived at the hospital at 445 am
baby Rider born at 542 am
perfectly handsom with a dimple on his right cheek
I'm so smitten

UMMM HELLO....

OK BABY BRUDDA....

IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THIS FAMILY, YOU BETTER GET USED TO DOING THINGS ON TIME. 

WE DON'T LIKE TARDINESS. 

AND JUST AN FYI... YOUR NEW MOM HAS A SERIOUS SCHEDULE THAT MUST BE KEPT ORGANIZED. 

IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED BY THE TICKER OVER THERE....

YOU'RE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE TODAY.

PLEASE DON'T BE LATE. 

I'M REALLY REALLY REALLY EXCITED TO MEET YOU AND I PROMISE I'LL BE NICE.

AND IF YOU DO DECIDE TO PUSH THE LIMITS AND GO AGAINST MY COLOR CODED SCHEDULE TO FURTHER BE REFERRED TO AS "THE FAMILY BRAIN"....

I'LL LET YOUR BIG SISTER DECIDE WHAT TO NAME YOU.

AND SHE LIKES SOME KA-RAZY NAMES.

SO PLEASE COME SOON.

WE LOVE YOU!

:)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PART OF MY LIFE

There are times of my life that I question how I've been so blessed. Last night was one of them. Kday shot this video of Layla after dinner. We both cried when we watched it... she is the most amazing thing to ever happen to us. We can't believe we're going to have two more to love. We really just can't even get enough of her. Pure hearth throbbing joy. Wow.

CALLING ALL PRAYERS

Ok, enough of the selfish funny business about waiting for this baby. I HAVE A REAL REQUEST.
I try not to use this blog to solicit anything, however, I need you.

Baby Brother's Birth Mom needs our prayers please. She is in a lot of pain physically but more pivotally she's in a lot of pain emotionally. As this adoption grows nearer and as the days of spending time with this sweet baby inside her grow shorter, reality is setting in. I can't imagine the amount of LOVE and SACRIFICE she is displaying by giving her baby a life in our family. This beautiful angel is a woman of COURAGE and HUMILITY and she needs all the prayers and support we can give her. People tell me they're praying for us. But SHE is the one that needs the Lord's comfort at this time. Kday and I have each other and we will be blessed beyond measure at the end of all this, while this angel's arms will be left empty. So I ask you to please pray for her to be comforted and lifted up by the Lord's army.
Thank you for your love and support in this request.

THE GREAT DEBATE

We tried to get to the zoo this am. However, when sweat dripped down my forehead at 8:30 am just loading the stroller into the car... I decided the zoo was out of the picture. Good choice - it was 101 degrees today. Instead we took D's advice in the past comment section and we got a little R&R. A visit with some friends and some sewing at Miss Mary's house did the trick. Now the question for the evening is which project to work on?
The ONLY thing left to prepare for this baby who feels like he'll never arrive, is to wash and refold all his clothes and linens. And sit around smelling the D-licious newness of PamPers swaddles newborn diapers before they get used.

OR

Put the finishing touches on Buca's quiet book that will come in VERY handy during church once baby Brudda makes his grand entrance. (if ever he decides to grace us with his actual real live presence!)

Please leave your deciding comment below and your opinion may just determine what I spend the next 8 hours doing 

:)

THE AGENDA...

Continuing my quest to stay busy until Rider's actual due date has encouraged quite the lineup of activities this week.

Monday: 

Walk the stairs at DHS

Pick up nephew from Kindergarten

Costc0 trip

Clean the house for a realtor to show it

Show the house

Make dinner

Yoga

Visit with Becky's darling daughter who's in town

Tuesday:

Pick up nephew at 8:30 am

Buca and friends to the Discovery Museum for as long as we can all tolerate

Mow the lawn

Make dinner

Walk the stairs at DHS

Wednesday:

5:45 am Yoga

Pick up KC and her kids and carpool to her MD appointment

We all head to the zoo as early as possible in the AM because it's going to be 98 degrees

After tolerating the heat at the zoo for as long as possible - swimming at Miss Mary's

FHE

Walk the stairs at DHS

Thursday:

Work

Homegoods Grand Opening with Rita at the Farmington Station

Make dinner

Walk the stairs at DHS

Friday:

Work

Miss X's MD appointment where there MD better say she's in labor or I'm going to lose my marbles!!!!

Whew! I hope I've haven't exhausted myself while waiting for Rider to get here. Heaven knows we'll be exhausted by the mere survival of the intensity and raw emotions of the adoption process... 

:)

RATINGS AND READINGS

A few months ago I invited Becky and her friend to come speak to a group of women as a part of my Church calling. Part of their discussion was about rating some of the moments in our life and slowing down enough to pay attention to the beautiful moments of every day. We all function and survive our day to day routine with most the happenings of the day rating at a 1. One is good, life is good blah blah blah. Every once and awhile we recognize a "2 moment." That's the equivalent of a nice little hug from one of your children or a moment when they might actually listen to what you say and follow instructions with a smile on their face. But the best moments in our life are a 3, the breathtaking instances when you wish you could just freeze the perfection of the situation.  It's easy to miss the 3's if we're too busy, too tired, too stressed, unfocused....
But man is my life filled with 3's. This past weekend Layla and I rang cow bells and cheered for her dad at his bike race. We jumped up and down as we finished strong in fourth and brought home a little extra bacon this weekend. Then Kday, Layla and I headed off to The Hill for a little R&R by the pool. There were many moments while we floated the lazy river that I wanted time to freeze and last forever. I would say instead of having a few moments rating a 3... I spent the entire day in a 3.




I encourage you to look for the 3's in your life. If you don't look for them, you'll certainly miss them. I'm sure I'll have a lot more of these heavenly moments in the near future.

To keep my busy during this much longer wait than I had anticipated for this baby to arrive and in preparation for each of the "phases" of my life - here's my current reading list:
Your Pregnancy and Childbirth
Babywise
Love and Logic for Early Childhood

THREE AND EIGHTY

Although I've been obnoxiously anxious and excited for this little babe to arrive, I've finally maxed out. Yesterday I was so eager and sick of waiting for my phone to ring as each tick of the clock sounded like a cannon booming in my mind, so I baked. And baked and baked. Cookies coming out of every square inch of my kitchen was all but a simple pastime to get me to the appointment today.

I met Miss X at her Dr office and presented her with a jar of homemade grape juice from last season - as a birthday gift. Today is her birthday and I can't imagine wanting to share this day with a baby that she is about to place in someone else's arms. So although I'm going stir crazy to get this baby here... today is her day.

The doctor did however say that she is dilated to a 3 and she's 80% effaced. Wowza.
I've heard everybody's stories though, "I sat at a 3 for almost a month" or "I was at a 3 and went into labor that night." So basically, tick tock it could be as soon as tomorrow or as late as September 3rd.

And although I've "prepared" every possible baby item in the house and washed every piece of clothing and linen in dreft, I kind of don't really know if I'm actually ready! Kday and I were so nievely excited to bring Buca home and we had no idea the sleepless nights and the never ending bottle making we were getting into. This time it's like knowing how hot the fire is going to be - and still willingly walking into it. I'm nervous to start over with all the sleep training and feeding schedules and generally speaking, "child rearing." We're in the thick of it with setting our standards with Layla teaching her the boundaries of childhood and the rules of the roost. She's learning quickly but it's taking all my time and attention to incorporate the skills I'm trying to implement. Am I going to have time to do that with a new baby? How do you raise two children? How do I handle 1 screaming baby and 1 tantruming toddler? I'm scared. Maybe this little baby can wait a few more weeks to get here since I am actually really only feeling about"1% ready" now that I think about it.

Is that how every mom feels before she leaps from 1 baby to 2? Or am I just a self fulling prophecy of craziness?

MIDNIGHT CALLS AND DOUGHNUT HOLES

After crashing on the couch while watching season 1 of Fr1ends, I was awoken by my phone ringing. In the mere .75 seconds it took for me to spring off the couch (the fastest I've moved in months mind you) and dash to the kitchen counter, I ran through every possible scenario. I was certain it was "The Call." Why else would anyone call me at 12:35 am from an unknown number. I eagerly picked it up and waited to hear a voice on the phone telling me that Miss X has gone into labor.
Well, there IS another reason why someone would call me at that hour.... a stupid phone scam telling me my bank account was frozen. Click. I hung up knowing full well that it was a phone scam and I dragged myself and Kday to bed with a chip on my shoulder. How dare they try to scam me! But more importantly- Don't they know I'm waiting for one of the most exciting phone calls I'll ever get in my life!?
Stupid.

I'm going stir CRAZY waiting for this process to come to a head (picture a gigantic zit) and then to come to the next phase which is more exciting and less stressful. Since my house has been thoroughly deep cleaned by my amazing sister, I've been planning as much time out of the house and with busy tasks to keep my mind off things. But it's not working. All I think about is getting "The Call." I went swimming at Miss Mary's today and while Layla was taking a nap I decided my back side needed a little color. Quickly I realized I can't lay on my belly anymore, you know what they say... Necessity is the best inventor. So I used a pool inner tube, slightly deflated as a doughnut pillow for my belly. I wedged my belly in the hole and laid on my lounge chair for as long as I could tolerate. And it was wonderful. I love the sun. I love the sun without babies and kids crying even better. But what I love even more than that is sitting at home in a rocking chair with a newborn who smells like heaven.

So just call already would ya!?

DEVIN IS....

Devin is my new spooning buddy.

My body pillow. 

All the pregnancy books suggest one.

Normally I spoon on Kday, and although he only weighs a whopping 140 lbs, I can't flip him side to side as easily as a pillow.

He's the "dummy" Kevin.

Thus, Devin.

Kday is actually a little jealous.

I often find him trying to steal Devin from me for his own personal use.

Kday insists that we can dual spoon on Devin but it just isn't the same.

After 4 weeks of zzzz'less sleep I decided it was worth a try....

and ohhhhh was it worth every penny.

Sorry Kday, Devin is mine... all mine.

If you're a good boy maybe I'll pick you up a "Sharon" at TargeT the next time I'm there.

But what's that going to do to our marriage?

I'll be sleeping with Devin and you'll be sleeping with Sharon?

What's our world coming to?

WHO IS.....

Devin?

Who is he?

Is he the new love of my life?

Maybe...

He sure makes Kevin jealous.

You'll find out Monday night who he is and why he's coming between me and Kevin

ADOPTION ETIQUETTE PART II

Please do not read me wrong, as this is not a lecture of sorts.... Think of it more as "if you say this to me one more time I might stick a spoon in your eyeball" :) This is really merely just an FYI if you're around a mother of biological and adoptive children.

Please don't say things like....
"When is YOUR baby due?"
"What do you think YOUR baby will look like?"
"She's adopting a baby and now she's pregnant with her OWN baby."
"Oh so you'll have two adopted kids and one of your OWN!?"
"What does her/his MOM look like?" (open your eyes, I'm standing right here)

All of my children are my OWN. I'm their MOM. Regardless of the route they required to come to this family, nothing could possibly prove them to be any less than my cherished children, part of my eternal family. And when we go to the glorious temple here on earth, my children's blood lines become my own blood lines. This is why when I'm asked about the background of my family I am careful in my word choice.

"Layla was adopted." or "Layla came to us through adoption."
Never do I say, "Layla IS adopted"
Being adopted has nothing to do with who she IS, it's merely the way she arrived.

So don't be bugged my inklings to educate on the appropriate wording to use around an adoptive mother. It's just a kind reminder that sometimes a simple comment can leave an unintentional sting. And if I were to  sit down and allow the sting... how would I be fulfilling my role as a mother? The role to better this world for my lovely children.

P.S.
Rider's doctor said he wouldn't be surprised if the birth mom went into labor within the next week. So cross your fingers everybody! This baby boy I've been dreaming of could be here in a matter of days!

SHOUT OUT

A few weeks ago my lovely sister in law coordinated a "Girls Retreat" up in Park City. Those in attendance included myself, my SIL, my sister, Miss Mary (my mom), and my aunt J. We spent the weekend eating delicious food and lounging about at the condo downtown P.C.

Of coarse P.C wouldn't be complete without unloading all sorts of cash at the outlet mall. In anticipation of my newly growing baby bump, the ladies talked me into going into MotherHood Maternity. My hesitation was obvious as they practically had to drag me into the store. At this point I was still in disbelief that this miraculous pregnancy would be successful. But quickly I fell in love with the prosthetic baby bump available to wear while trying on clothes!

NOT MY REAL BABY BUMP!!!!
IF ONLY I COULD LOOK THIS CUTE ONCE I REALLY START SHOWING THIS MUCH!
FOR NOW... I LOOK NOTHING LIKE THIS! I JUST LOOK REALLY OVERWEIGHT!

I just have to say that my shopping trip to Motherhood Maternity turned out to be a once in a lifetime experience! I couldn't have planned it if I wanted to. It stands right up there next to the day I tried on wedding dresses with my mom. It was so special to have all the girls there oohing and aahhing over my baby bump in maternity clothes. And the staff at the P.C Motherhood Maternity waited on me hand and foot and was sure to care for my every need. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman trying on clothes on Rodeo drive.... Yes, that's how awesome the sales women were at M.M.
After giving me VIP service I left with my arms full of darling, comfortable, and surprisingly fashionable maternity clothes for my baby bump to grow into.
And despite many people's advice that "A Pea in a Pod" being their favorite maternity store... the service, selection, and prices rated quite poorly in my experience compared to MotherHood Maternity.
To shop their online store, go HERE
Here's a few of my favorite things from M.M

I have this top in two different colors



This shirt is darling with a little a symmetrical neckline that is very flattering


This top in two colors for my fall wardrobe

Early and After Capri Jeans... love them, makes me wish every pair of jeans had an elastic waistband!


I have a shorter version of this dress, but as I get bigger I can imaging that this would be uber comfy to lounge around the house in!

Now stop reading and go shopping!

BABIES OF A DIFFERENT KIND...

What's the worst thing you can find in the bathroom when you look up on the ceiling?

BABIES.

Baby spiders. 

Real freaking great.

It's a fact that if you find one baby spider there's a million more of them somewhere close by.

As if I wasn't already feeling like my house isn't in "baby welcoming standard"

This is what happens when I don't allow myself to nest appropriately. 

Had I cleaned the entire house top to bottom and inside out like last time, I wouldn't have a million baby spiders on my bathroom ceiling.

Stupid.

Too late now.

LAZINESS OR REALIST?

All weekend long while away at Jackson Hole we prepped Buca for the big potty training party we were going to have when we returned home today. We talked about her big girl undIes and potty. We explained that a successful trip to the potty would result in an M&M and a new doll. She seemed totally on board. And today after Buca's best boy friend J came to play (who is miraculously potty trained by the age of 2 by the way) and she saw him use her big girl potty and get a treat... she was gung-ho! She asked for her undies and we sat on the potty and waited and waited. I set the kitchen timer for 10 min increments and every 10 min I would stop what I was doing and we'd try sitting on the potty again.

The first time she got off the potty she peed on the rug in her room before I could even exit the bathroom. So we said "oops! it's an accident. Next time we go on the potty and not on your legs." We giggled and tried again.

Twenty minutes later we had a successful trip to the potty! M&M reward given and lots of cheering... as soon as I could blink she peed again on her rug in her room. No longer than 30 seconds after going on the potty. "oops again, it's an accident. we don't go potty on our legs, we go in the potty." "Next time tell mommy if you need to use the potty still ok?!"

Ten minutes later we sat down for lunch and I felt something splash on my leg... yes, pee on the chair and all over the floor.

Clearly she hasn't grasped the concept. With another 2-3 days of consistent checking and potty time every 10 minutes I think I could make it work. But after the third accident in a matter of 45 minutes, I walked into the kitchen and stopped for a few moments to pull myself together. And I realized that either I'm in no state of mind or emotionally capable of potty training right now, or it's just a realistic notion that  I'm lazy.
But let's take a look at the goings on in our lives right now, and it really doesn't make sense to add another element of difficulty and change when already our life is about to be turned upside down. We're expecting a baby in 3 weeks. Our house is for sale. Layla will be bouncing around from place to place while we attend the hospital birth and adoption relinquishment meetings. We'll be moving into a new place soon. Sleep training Buca from a crib to a twin bed. And then the birth of yet another sibling.

Is now really the time to ask her to learn a new skill that's often a hard adjustment? Is now really the time for me to be checking in on her every 10 minutes for a potty stop? No it's really NOT the time. Right now we all need a little dose of structure and comfortable security in our routine. Call me lazy if you will... but I prefer to be called a realist.

DO THE SHUFFLE!

Last night I sat in front of a friends house and I watched L-dub and N-Motti head out on one of their hard core runs. I've never been much for keeping up with either of those two superhero's, but truth be told, it made me jealous. I freaking LOVE being pregnant. And I'll be the first to sacrifice EVERYTHING physically to stay pregnant. But I miss running. I feel like an addict who wants "just one more hit" or "just one puff."
As I headed out on my morning walk with Mr Kash I couldn't resist the yearning my legs had to just take off and run. It's been months since I've run. The very moment I saw those glorious two pink lines I quit running, so I knew there'd be nothing in my legs. I would barely call what I was doing "running," it would be better described as a "shuffle." So I shuffled my way down 6 blocks. Not exactly the hard core run I had a hankering for but it stifled my craving enough to feel like I was keeping the baby safe from harm and still listening to my body's deepest desires. I walked about 3.5 miles after my six short shuffled blocks and it felt good.
I reminded myself that the first step to motherhood is making sacrifices and for the first time sacrificing my body to nurse a healthy pregnancy is the biggest offering I can put forth. And with the help of my newly ordered double chariot, I'll be up and running in no time after baby #3 gets here.

I'm off to enjoy a sans kids lunch with a fabulous woman, who just so happens to be expecting baby #3 after the beautiful adoption of two little ones also. I can't wait to exchange stories!

IT'S A........

SUGAR AND SPICE....?

OR SNIPS AND SNAILS....?

The wait was almost unbearable! 

The crazy's that wait their entire pregnancy to find out the baby's gender are insane!

I could hardly handle 10 hours of waiting.

He'll be wearing things like this....

And hats like this...

I can't believe it's real!